Ingredients

2quarts bottled spring water or filtered water

1/4cup loose black tea leaves or 8 standard tea bags

1/3cup to 2/3 c sugar

2lemons, thinly sliced

8sprigs mint

Instructions

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in a teakettle. Put tea leaves in a deep, heatproof bowl or large teapot. As soon as the water begins to boil, pour over tea leaves, stir, and let stand 4 minutes. It will be very strong.

Pour liquid through a fine wire-mesh sieve or coffee filter into a pitcher. Stir sugar into the tea. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add remaining quart of water and stir. Cool completely and serve over ice with lemon and mint. Note: Sweetened tea is more perishable than unsweetened. Store it well sealed in a glass (not plastic) container in the refrigerator.